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| 1880, June–Nov |
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| Montenegrin troubles. The Albanian League, a union of tribes supported by the sultan, vigorously and successfully resisted the efforts of the Montenegrins to take over the Albanian territory assigned them by the treaty of Berlin. A conference of the powers at Berlin (June) decided that Montenegro should receive Dulcigno in lieu of some of the disputed territory. A naval demonstration of the powers at Dulcigno (Sept. 28) had no effect. The British government (under Gladstone since April) took a strong line and threatened to occupy the customs house at Smyrna. The Ottomans finally yielded (Nov. 25). | 1 |
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| 1881, May 12 |
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| Treaty of Bardo, establishing a French protectorate over Tunis. This went back to the assurances of Salisbury and Bismarck during the Congress of Berlin, but the French government had not acted because of the indifference of French public opinion in matters of colonial expansion and because of distrust of Bismarck's motives. The question was precipitated by the activity of the Italians, determined to make good their failure to secure gains at the Berlin Congress at Austria's expense. The affair initiated a long period of Franco-Italian tension and modified the Mediterranean situation to Britain's disadvantage. Gladstone protested, but the British government was committed by Salisbury's assurances. | 2 |
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| May 24 |
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| The Ottomans were obliged to cede to Greece a considerable part of Thessaly and part of Epirus. These territories had been promised to Greece at the Berlin Congress, but the Ottomans had temporized. In the autumn of 1880 there was acute danger of war. In the end the Greeks had to content themselves with much less than had originally been envisaged. | 3 |
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| June 18 |
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| The ALLIANCE OF THE THREE EMPERORS: term three years, renewed in 1884 for three more years. Provisions: If one of the contracting powers found itself at war with a fourth power (except the Ottomans), the other two were to maintain friendly neutrality. Modifications of the territorial status quo in the Ottoman Empire should take place only after agreement among the three powers; if any one of them should feel compelled to go to war with the Ottomans, it should consult its allies in advance as to the eventual results; Austria reserved the right to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina when it saw fit; the three powers agreed not to oppose the eventual union of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. This treaty, kept rigorously secret, was the outcome of long negotiations between Bismarck and Saburov, the Russians being anxious for an alliance with Germany as protection against Austrian policy in the Balkans, and equally anxious for recognition of the closure of the Straits against possible British action. Bismarck refused an agreement that would not include Austria, and the Austrians were hostile to the idea until after the advent of the Gladstone government in Britain, which was unfriendly to Austria. The final conclusion of the agreement was delayed by the assassination of the tsar (March 13, 1881). | 4 |
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| June 28 |
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| Secret treaty between Austria and Serbia, the result of Prince Milan's resentment at being deserted by Russia in 1878 and of his chronic need for Austrian financial support (See 1881, June 28). Term ten years. Serbia promised not to tolerate intrigues against Austria. Austria promised to recognize Milan as king. | 5 |
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